How to choose a live Christmas tree
- The tree should have a uniform color, without yellowness – otherwise, the tree or pine is already stale, and there is a risk that they will crumble before the New Year holidays.
- You can determine the freshness of the tree as follows: you need to hit the trunk on the ground. If the needles do not start to crumble, the wood is fresh.
What should I look for when buying an artificial Christmas tree?
There are several things to keep in mind when shopping for an artificial Christmas tree. Typical artificial trees range in height from 6-1/2 feet to 12 feet or more to accommodate practically any ceiling height. Keep the Christmas tree shape and circumference in mind as well. There are slim trees and full-girth trees to choose from.
What is the most realistic Christmas tree?
Trees with PE needles are usually the most realistic and may not require as much effort when shaping the Christmas tree. They’re made with an injection-molding process that mimics natural evergreen needles, and branch tips are sculpted to look more like those of a live tree.
What are the different types of fresh cut Christmas trees?
The most popular fresh-cut Christmas trees come from the pine or fir species. Choosing the right type depends on personal taste and regional availability. Pine trees have long, slender needles 1 inch to 6 inches long attached in clusters to branches. These trees vary in shades of yellow green and blue green.
What type of real Christmas tree lasts the longest?
Fraser FirLongest lasting: The longest-lasting tree (if you take care of it!) is the Fraser Fir.
What type of Christmas tree is best?
The Fraser fir is considered by many to be the perfect holiday tree. It boasts attractive one-inch needles that are silvery-green and soft to the touch, making it the ideal varietal for families with pets or young children who tend to handle their tree.
Which Christmas tree holds its needles best?
Scotch pine will keep its needles, even after becoming dry. If you need a long-lasting tree, look no further: The Scotch pine will retain its good looks and needles even if its water dries up while you're visiting family for part of the holidays.
What type of Christmas tree looks real?
National Tree Company's 7.5-foot Feel Real Downswept Douglas Fir with dual-color LEDs (PEDD1-D12-75) is our pick among artificial Christmas trees.
What Christmas tree sheds the least?
Scotch Pine (Scots Pine) Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris) has long been one of the most popular Christmas trees. The branches are stiff with ridged, 1 inch long, bright green needles that hold for weeks. They don't drop off the tree, even when they dry out.
Which is better Balsam vs Fraser?
The Balsam is a more traditional choice for a Christmas tree, since it naturally grows in this area. Balsams grow faster meaning their branch strength is less than a Fraser, however Balsams are often “fuller”, with more, closer growing branches. Unlike the Fraser, Balsams have “soft” needles.
When should you buy a Christmas tree?
"Thanksgiving weekend is the beginning of Christmas tree sales for many farms and tree lots and is a good time to purchase a tree," says Tim O'Connor, also of the National Christmas Tree Association. "There aren't supply chain issues with real trees as they are grown here in the U.S. and Canada."
How do you pick out a tree?
Once you're perusing the lot, picking the right tree is like picking ripe mango: you should smell and touch.Test the branches. ... Crush the needles in your hand and then check the scent. ... Bounce the tree by holding it a few inches above the ground and dropping it. ... Make absolutely sure the tree's trunk fits your stand.
How long will a fresh Christmas tree last?
four to five weeksA healthy, fresh-cut Christmas tree will last for four to five weeks if properly cared for. If you're itching to put up your holiday decorations earlier, start with non-living decorations whenever you like, and finish off with fresh greenery and your Christmas tree around the first of December.
Are pre lit Christmas trees worth it?
Improved efficiency and safety. With the advent of cooler, more energy-efficient LED (versus incandescent) lighting, along with the fact that artificial trees don't dry out or present a subsequent fire hazard, pre-lit Christmas trees can offer a nice balance between convenience, safety, and energy efficiency.
Is balsam fir a good Christmas tree?
Fraser firs may be fantastic trees, but Balsam fir trees are the O.G. Christmas tree for a few reasons. They're a lot more naturally widespread -- occurring in the northeastern U.S. from Minnesota to Maine, as well as a lot more territory in eastern and central Canada.
How can I make a cheap Christmas tree look expensive?
0:425:00How to Make A Christmas Tree Look Fuller - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo that you see them what they're doing is they're going to be light reflective. So you put those onMoreSo that you see them what they're doing is they're going to be light reflective. So you put those on first and then you put the lights on your tree.
How do you keep needles from falling off Christmas tree?
Feed and water. Water is the key to keeping the needles on your Christmas tree. Freshly cut trees will take in lots of water in the first week – as much as two pints a day!
What type of Christmas tree is best for heavy ornaments?
Pine and fir trees can support heavy Christmas ornaments. Christmas trees with strong, sturdy branches such as pine or fir varieties can support heavy Christmas ornaments. If you buy an artificial tree, choose one with strong wire branches.
What is the difference between a Douglas Fir and a Fraser fir?
Douglas fir tree's needles are held in two ranks around twigs looking like a v-shaped groove appears on the top side of needle-covered branches. Fraser fir needles are held upward all around the twigs, making them look rounded and plump.
What is the difference between Douglas Fir and noble fir Christmas trees?
The Douglas Fir is a very full and bushy tree, the branches are a lot weaker then the noble fir but it has short green needles, and has a strong fragrance, it is a cheap alternative to a noble fir.
How to tell if a Christmas tree is fresh?
The trick for knowing if your real Christmas tree is fresh is looking out for a healthy, shiny appearance. The needles should be flexible and not fall easily. Check this by dropping lightly on its stump. Evergreens lose needles all year, but if it drops more than a few, it is not fresh.
What is the most attractive Christmas tree?
Blue spruce (Picea pungens) Related to the Norway spruce, this is one of the most attractive Christmas trees, with a good natural shape, and distinguished by the striking blue-green – sometimes almost electric blue – needles. These are very sharp, however, so take care when handling it.
What type of real Christmas tree lasts the longest?
Christmas tree expert Mary Dimitrova particularly recommends a Douglas or a Nordmann Fir for longevity – 'they'll last for about six weeks before withering, offering the best use throughout Christmas.
What do members of the BCTGA use to harvest their trees?
Members of the BCTGA have strict guidelines to follow on where they buy their seeds, what pesticides and herbicides to use and how to harvest their trees. Where use of pesticides is unavoidable, farmers will use chemicals early in the year when wildlife and insects haven't moved into the forests.
How long do Christmas trees live?
A real Christmas tree needs to be transported from farm to house, so even if grown locally, it will still have a small carbon footprint; however, they have a 10 to 15 year lifespan, during which time they are absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.There is an estimated 12,000 hectares of Christmas tree farms providing this natural benefit in the UK.
How to keep a tree from consuming water?
When it is brought indoors, mount the tree in a water-holding stand, and place away from any heat source, such as a radiator. Once it is unwrapped, allow the branches to settle before decorating them. Keep the container regularly topped up with water, as the tree will consume a surprising amount.
What does it mean when a tree is in a pot?
If you see trees described as ‘potted’, this simply means they have been lifted from the ground (usually as bare root stock) and plunged into a pot; the chances of root damage are high, and survival low. Pot grown. Having spent most, if not their entire, lifespan in a pot, these trees come with a good root system.
When to buy a real Christmas tree?
All live trees are generally cut at the same time in their fields in late October/November. So when it comes to choosing, the earlier the better really, as it means you’ll have the widest options available to choose from. It also means that you can begin caring for your tree as soon as possible, keeping your tree alive and fresh throughout the Christmas period.
How much does a Christmas tree cost?
Prices for a real Christmas tree can range from your luxury £500 trees to a budget option of £10 trees. Usually, you can find a great quality tree between £30 and £60 depending on what tree you are looking for. However, it also depends on where you are, and where you are buying from this is what makes the price range vary.
How do you preserve a Christmas tree?
The trick into keeping your tree fresh is by keeping the trunk of your tree (bottom 2 inches) in water, it does mean you have to keep regularly watering it, as you would with any plant!
How tall is a balsam fir tree?
They also grow to a great height between 6 and 7 feet tall and to top it all off they are extremely affordable! Meaning that this Christmas tree is sure to make an impression on your guest during this time as well as making a great centrepiece of your living room.
How many Christmas trees are there in Clearwell?
At the Clearwell family-run farm, you can choose from over 7000 trees growing in the field. They offer a wide range of Christmas trees ranging from Norway Spruces to Firs to Scots (Scotch) Pines. Visitors are often advised to bring wellies or sturdy shoes for walking around the farm as it can get rather muddy and wet.
Why are Christmas trees good for holding ornaments?
It is said that these trees are great for holding ornaments because of their short, stiff needles, although, when the needles are crushed they don’t release the best aroma , so they perhaps aren’t the best real Christmas tree if you’re buying one for their scent.
What is the most popular Christmas tree in America?
Douglas Fir. This is one of the most popular Christmas trees in America. They became so popular due to their pyramid shape and full branches – the needles grow in all different direction which gives them that full, plush look. The Douglas Fir can easily be compared to the Norway Spruce.
Classic Christmas Tree Type
When you head out to the lot to buy your tree, you’ll likely see at least several kinds of evergreens available. What are the different types of Christmas trees? It helps to have some idea of what’s out there before you shop.
Christmas Tree Type Comparison
Some popular classic Christmas tree types include Douglas fir, Frasier and balsam firs, white and Scotch pines, and Colorado blue spruce. All are conifers but there are differences.
Best Real Christmas Tree Variety
When it comes to choosing the best real Christmas tree variety, there are no right or wrong answers. Everything depends on the preferences of a family. It’s very important to decide in advance where the tree will be located so that you can be sure the tree will fit into it.
Before You Go
Choose where you will place the tree – Find a good spot in your home for your tree. Move furniture out of the way, make sure it’s not in a high traffic area so it’s not constantly being brushed up against. Also, stay away from any heat sources that can dry it out or get too hot.
Choosing A Tree At A Tree Lot
When you go to a fresh cut tree lot there are some things you want to look for that wouldn’t be a concern if you were cutting down your own tree.
Cutting Down Your Own Tree
Bring a Saw/Ax – Most Christmas tree farms will have saws you can use to cut down your own, but I have found they have limited supply. So bring your own so you don’t have to wait, and you’re more comfortable with your own tools anyway. (Stihl makes awesome axes to cut down trees)
When You Get Your Tree Home
Make a Fresh Cut – When you get home, if it wasn’t already done at the lot, make a fresh cut on the bottom of your tree. This is another reason I love my Battery Powered STIHL Chainsaw.
What do Christmas tree farms do?
Often Christmas tree farms have more than trees available. Some offer wagon or sleigh rides, a Santa to visit, hot cocoa or a gift shop.
Where do sandhill cranes pick their Christmas trees?
Sandhill Cranes picking out their Christmas tree at a Christmas tree farm in Florida. By cutting down Christmas trees each year, we are encouraging a healthy environment. For forests to grow and continue to be the carbon scrubbing powerhouses they are, they need to be managed responsibly.
What are artificial Christmas trees made of?
And most are made from a type of plastic called PVC, or polyvinyl chloride.
How do trees help soil?
The trees help to stabilize the soil by preventing erosion. And most evergreens happily grow in soil where other crops won’t.
Do you see the Christmas tree in a hallmark movie?
There’s a reason you never see this scene in a Hallmark Christmas movie. Getting the tree is part of the fun of having a real one. Often Christmas tree farms have more than trees available. Some offer wagon or sleigh rides, a Santa to visit, hot cocoa or a gift shop.
Is a real Christmas tree good for a small apartment?
A real Christmas tree is an excellent choice for those living in a small space. Studio apartment dwellers rejoice!
Is it better to choose a real tree or plastic?
Yes, it’s true. Choosing a real tree is so much better for the environment than its plastic counterpart.
